© Willem63 (CC BY-NC-SA)
© Willem63 (CC BY-NC-SA)
20 Pfennigs - Berching
1920 year| Iron | 4.0 g | 22.9 mm |
| Issuer | City of Berching (Federal state of Bavaria) |
|---|---|
| Period | Weimar Republic (1918-1933) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1920 |
| Value | 20 Pfennigs (20 Pfennige) (0.20) |
| Currency | Mark (1914-1924) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 4.0 g |
| Diameter | 22.9 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#312923 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
Pearl rim, legend surrounding pearl circle, coat of arms in front of pike in a bird cage
Script: Latin
Lettering: ZEIT UND NOT MEIN DASEIN GEBOT
Edge
Plain
Comment
THE LEGEND OF THE BERCHING’S PIKE IN A BIRD CAGEA long time ago the Sulz was in full fl ood and the valley became a lake as far as Plankstetten. All fishes were very happy, but floods went out as quickly as they had come. A curious pike stood behind and remained all by itself in the meadows. A Berching’s inhabitant found it: as he had never seen such a strange animal before, he carried it to the town hall. There the question was discussed at length and in the end everybody agreed that it was a bird. And - just like a peculiar bird - the pike was put in a bird cage in
order to be admired by all the crowded people. As the pike opened its mouth for exhaling its last breathe the visitors from the neighbouring towns heard many Berching’s people saying: „Silence, it’s going to sing!“
The inhabitants of Berching led a very secluded life for a long time as the neighbours made fun of them everywhere they went, saying „Look at him, he’s a Berching’s pike!“
Interesting fact
The 20 Pfennigs - Berching 1920 coin was issued during a time of economic turmoil in Germany, known as the "Inflationary Period" (1914-1923). During this time, the value of the German mark plummeted, and the government was forced to print more and more money to keep up with the increasing prices. As a result, many coins from this era, including the 20 Pfennigs - Berching 1920, were made of cheaper metals like iron instead of the traditional silver or gold. This is why the coin weighs only 4.0 grams, which is relatively light compared to other coins of similar denominations.
